Where to purchase footwear
Many shops and footwear companies make
wide fitting shoes and with the features
discussed.
Below are some suggestions of
manufacturers who tend to have some
styles that meet the characteristics of a
good shoe.
Wider Fit Shoes (www.widerfitshoes.co.uk)
Hotter (www.hottershoes.com)
Cosyfeet shoes (www.cosyfeet.com)
Padders (www.padders.co.uk)
Pavers (www.pavers.co.uk)
JD Williams, Evans, Clarks, Marks and
Spencer, and New Look have a range of
wide fitting shoes
Wide Fit Running Shoes
www.brooksrunning.com
Safety Footwear:
Arco: www.arco.co.uk
Sevsafe: www.sevsafe.co.uk
Safe and Sound: www.snssafety.co.uk
For Children:
Super Fit shoes:
www.zalando.co.uk/childrens-
shoes/superfit/
Local shops:
North East Mobility, 25 Bank Street,
Galashiels
Symington Shoes, 48 Channel Street,
Galashiels
The above shops, brands and companies
have no links with the NHS and may change
their styles and sizes meaning that some
shoes may not fit as well as when we
recommended them to you
Further Information
For more information please visit the
Healthy Footwear Guide (healthy-footwear-
guide.com)
Contact Details
Podiatry Dept
Borders General Hospital
Melrose
Roxburghshire
TD6 9BS
Tel: 01896 826982
Email:
[email protected]
Please contact the service for a copy of
this information in another language,
Braille, large print of BSL DVD
Published: June 2022
Review: June 2025
Guide to Buying
Information for Patients
Guide to Buying
Footwear
Information for Patients
Footwear Advice Leaflet
All feet are different but well fitting supportive
shoes should improve the comfort of your
feet. This leaflet will give you simple practical
information about what features to look for in
your footwear to help treat your foot problem.
What is a good shoe?
the shoe should be the correct length,
width and depth for your foot
there should be around 10mm space
between the end of your longest toe and
the end of the shoe
round or square toe shape with plenty of
depth so your toes are not squashed
a low heel, ideally less than 30mm but
more than 10mm high
a lace or Velcro fastening to hold the foot
firmly without rubbing
aoft, seamless uppers with supportive
deep heel counters
cushioned sole to absorb impact
removable insoles especially if the
hospital is providing an insole/orthosis
the heel counter should be firm and offer
support to the heel. You should not be
able to easily fold the back of the shoe
over when the shoe is off.
the natural shape of the shoe should not
be distorted by the foot, this may indicate
excess pressure on the toe joints
a lower opening where the tongue opens
down towards the toes can be easier to
get on and off
Features of a good shoe
What is an unsuitable shoe?
Features of a good shoe
a “slip on” or court shoe which is kept on
the foot by curling the toes. Slip-on shoes
have to be wedged on to stay on the foot
and this can damage the toes or cause
corns and callus
a pointed toe box, which will squash your
toes together
a heel that is too high and will cause
pressure under the front of the foot or
cause the foot to be pushed to the end of
the shoe, crushing the toes
a shoe made of plastic or rubber, which is
not breathable and will cause your foot to
sweat
a thin or hard sole, which will not cushion
your foot comfortably
a shoe that is heavily worn causing it to
start to tilt to the side
When to shop for shoes
Your foot size can vary through the day. Try
shopping later in the day if your feet tend to
swell they will be at their largest
Always buy shoes to fit your largest foot.
Shoes should be comfortable at the time of
purchase, however, you should always break
new shoes in slowly
initial rubbing or discomfort. Remember, the
most expensive sho
best shoe. The best shoe is one that fits your
foot well and is comfortable.
An easy way to check if the width and length
of a shoe is suitable is to take the base insole
out of the shoe and place your foot on top.
For a good fit
your foot and for length there should be
around a thumbs width between the end of
your longest toe and the end of the insole.
Socks, stockings and tights
You should always change your socks,
stockings or tights every day. If you have
sensitive feet or diabetes then consider
wearing your socks inside out so the seam is
not against your skin or consider purchasing
seam free or diabetic socks. If you struggle
with swelling or the elastic of regular socks
marking your ankles then soft top socks can
be a good option.
https://www.cosyfeet.com/socks
When to shop for shoes
Your foot size can vary through the day. Try
shopping later in the day if your feet tend to
swell they will be at their largest
at that time.
Always buy shoes to fit your largest foot.
Shoes should be comfortable at the time of
purchase, however, you should always break
new shoes in slowly
to reduce the chance of
initial rubbing or discomfort. Remember, the
most expensive sho
e is not necessarily the
best shoe. The best shoe is one that fits your
foot well and is comfortable.
An easy way to check if the width and length
of a shoe is suitable is to take the base insole
out of the shoe and place your foot on top.
For a good fit
the insole should be as wide as
your foot and for length there should be
around a thumbs width between the end of
your longest toe and the end of the insole.
Socks, stockings and tights
You should always change your socks,
stockings or tights every day. If you have
sensitive feet or diabetes then consider
wearing your socks inside out so the seam is
not against your skin or consider purchasing
seam free or diabetic socks. If you struggle
with swelling or the elastic of regular socks
marking your ankles then soft top socks can
be a good option.
https://www.cosyfeet.com/socks